W
Great experience.
Great tour guide Kay. Comfortable ride. The 5 of us enjoyed the experience.
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
+27 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 1h–1h 30min
- Price from
- $39 / person
- Location
- Chicago, United States
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 17,093 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Small group, up to 250
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Shoreline Sightseeing
- Meeting point
- FROM NAVY PIERDeparts from 124 N Streeter Drive from the Shoreline Sightseeing docks at Polk Bros Park.
Description
Experience the stunning beauty of Chicago on a captivating cruise along the historic Chicago River. This architectural tour takes you down the main branch of the river, up the north branch to the East Bank Club, and then south past the iconic Willis Tower (Sears Tower) to the historic Old Post Office Building. Marvel at the magnificent city skyline as you pass by over 40 notable buildings, including: John Hancock Center: An iconic skyscraper that defines the Chicago skyline. Wrigley Building: Known for its distinctive white facade and clock tower. As you sail, an expert architecture guide will provide fascinating insights into the distinctive designs and history of these architectural marvels. Whether you're a local or visiting for the first time, this tour offers a unique perspective on one of the world's most beautiful cities. Sit back, relax, and let the architectural wonders of Chicago unfold before your eyes.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 22 times a day, 9:30 AM–8:30 PM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 7
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $39
- Child (ages 3–12)
- $20
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Out at sunset: the 5:45 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 6:03 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Chicago River
Cruise takes place on the Chicago River.
Chicago Skyline
Enjoy an amazing view of the city's skyline.
Navy Pier
50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, eateries and attractions, including a 15-story Ferris wheel.
Tribune Tower
The neo-gothic tower's signature is the exterior collection of stones from other famous edifices, like the Parthenon, St. Peter's Basilica, Notre Dame, the White House and most recently, the Berlin Wall.
John Hancock Center
The John Hancock Center, is a 100-story, 1,128-foot supertall skyscraper
Marina City
The twin corncob towers are a unique part of Chicago’s urban landscape.
Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower
Once the tallest building in the world, it's a striking presence in the skyline.
Aqua Tower
Notable for its wave-like balconies, it's a modern architectural wonder.
What's included
Included
Pet-friendly
Restroom on board
Live expert commentary on board
Guided architecture cruise of the historic Chicago River
Not included
Drinks (available for purchase)
WiFi on board
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
17,093 reviews
How it compares in Chicago
- The most-reviewed of 523 tours in Chicago
- Starting price $39 is 32% below the typical $57 for tours of similar length in Chicago
Excurgo comparison of 523 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All boats have full restrooms and a full bar.
- Some boats are single deck vessels, the type of vessel you are placed on cannot be guaranteed.
- Wheelchairs or other walking assistance equipment are not provided.
- Cruises are dog-friendly.
- Tours can be rescheduled through Viator 24 hours prior to the departure dates.
- Wheelchair accessible from Navy Pier dock only.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chicago Architecture River Cruise take?
Chicago Architecture River Cruise lasts about 1h–1h 30min. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does Chicago Architecture River Cruise cost?
Prices start at $39 per person for this Chicago experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 4 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Chicago Architecture River Cruise run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 22 departures a day between 9:30 AM and 8:30 PM.
How much does Chicago Architecture River Cruise cost for children?
Children aged 3–12 pay from $20, adults from $39. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Chicago Architecture River Cruise for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is FROM NAVY PIER: Departs from 124 N Streeter Drive from the Shoreline Sightseeing docks at Polk Bros Park. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Chicago Architecture River Cruise offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 250 participants.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchairs or other walking assistance equipment are not provided. Wheelchair accessible from Navy Pier dock only.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Chicago Architecture River Cruise worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 17,093 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Shoreline Sightseeing.
Reviews(17,093)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
W
Great cruise
Great cruise on the river. save your receipt for a $7 a person lake cruise any day after the river cruise.
E
Great tour
Such a fun tour! What an amazing way to see Chicago. Our tour guide was very insightful and made the history of Chicago come alive. She was very witty and she handled all the questions while staying on track. Geat tour
A
Awesome
Such a great experience with great history and information. If you’re in Chicago you need to do this tour. Plenty of seats, drinks, and opportunities to use the restroom. Lovely views as well!
R
Excellent architecture tour!!!
Very enjoyable tour!! We saw so much of the beautiful city of Chicago! Dylan was so informative & a fun personality!! We learned to much about all different architectural styles & history of each one!
T
The city a cow built
Every building had a story, and they were all interesting. We never would have learned as much on a bus tour, nor enjoyed the ride as much.
P
Riding on a boat on the...
Riding on a boat on the Chicago river is a great way to view all the buildings and their unique architecture.
M
Great tour , until it was time to exit the boat
Great tour. The young lady giving the tour was absolutely great, speaking in English and Spanish. Then the tour ended and she stood by the exit saying goodbye with her hand out with two five dollar bills rolled up in her fingers as a sign to leave her a tip. Very disappointed
R
Fun and informative experience
Super experience. Eric, our tour guide, was both entertaining and very informative. Thoroughly recommended.
R
River Architecture Tour
We took this tour on a recommendation and it did not disappoint! Sam đid a great job teaching us about the architecture of the buildings along the Chicago river! We would recommend this tour!
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Architecture River Cruise | 1h–1h 30min | 4.8 (17,093) | $39 | |
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from$39
4.8(17,093) Free cancellation